Adding “things” (Part 1)

What do you think?

Library of things:  scary challenge or fun challenge?

Searching for a bib record for a “thing” is much the same as searching for a record for a book.

I search Workflows for both the title and the barcode number on the package in Call Number and Item Maintenance.  I use Title / Browse search parameters for the title and General / Keyword to search on the packaging barcode number.  If you’re looking for a popular board game, learning toy, or Wilton cake pan, chances are we all ready have a record. 

The big difference comes in SmartPort.  When searching the number on the package, it helps to understand the numbering systems used on commercially produced things. 

Common numbering systems used on packaging barcodes:

ISBN:  International Standard Book Number.  In a bib record, it’s found in line 020.  Obviously it’s used for books, but I’ve also seen it used for other printed material such as puzzles and game cards.

UPC:  Universal  Product Code.  In a bib record, it’s found in line 024.  A general/keyword search in Call Number and Item Maintenance will find a record that includes the UPC in the correct field.  If you are searching SmartPort, change your ISBN search to a NUMBER search to for a UPC number.  You probably already do this to find DVD records.

A UPC for a board game.

ASIN: Amazon Standard Identification Number.  This is an alpha-numeric code that starts with a B.  I have seen this information in bib records, but it’s not that useful for finding records.  I’ve never had luck searching on an ASIN, and it’s not information we want to include in our shared bibliographic records.  We want to match records that can apply to the same thing no matter who sold it.  Look for a UPC number instead.  (Keep reading to learn when an ASIN number is useful.) 

If your individual library would like to keep track of the source of your items (Amazon, Ingram, donation etc), that information can be included in an item record staff note.

What if you can’t find a UPC or no longer have the original packaging?  I have luck googling the product name and “UPC”.  I’ve also had luck searching on the title of the product in SmartPort, but my odds are better with a UPC. 

What if you just can’t find a record? 

Accept our help!  Check out my earlier post on Requesting a bibliographic record. 

Create a fast bib record:  If you want to check an thing out to a patron who is standing in front of you, quickly create a record with the title of the item in the 245 field, the UPC in the 024 field and the word “upgrade” in the 590 field.  Here’s a place where adding ASIN information is useful.  I can search the Amazon website to get lots of descriptive information that I can use to build a record. 

These quick and dirty records are great for instant checkout gratification, but don’t forget the 590 upgrade.  Brief title hard to find when searching Enterprise, and they don’t give your patrons all the information they could get from a well-crafted bib record. 

If there’s no UPC, and no easy way to direct us to descriptive information in the 590 field, open a ticket by emailing support @ superiorlandlibrary.org with the subject line “bib record upgrade needed.”  If you can send me a link to a product description online, that’s all I need.  If not, a photo with measurements in cm would be helpful.

Delving into original cataloging for things:

I can’t cover this topic well in a blog entry.  I don’t recommend exerting your energy on creating thing records unless you already have a strong foundation in original cataloging: do you already understand fixed fields, subfield indicators, delimiters, line tags, MaRC, and RDA?

If you have a strong foundation in building bib records, consider taking the MCLS class Object Cataloging for a Library of Things:  https://mcls.corsizio.com/event/664b932df02febfcf6cccaab .  This class will be offered from October 29-31, 2024 (three 2-hour sessions).   MCLS will offer this class again if these dates don’t work for you.  Keep them in mind.

If you don’t have a foundation, MCLS is offering MARC: An Introduction https://mcls.corsizio.com/event/664b6313f02febfcf6c11304  September 24-26.  September 24-26 (three 2-hour sessions). MCLS will offer this class again if the dates don’t work for you.  Keep them in mind.

Can we include a photo?

Yes! we can include a photo in the record.  A photo of your thing made for promotional purposes by the company that produced the item works best.  Search online for a good one.  For those handmade sock puppets donated by a local artisan, find a plain surface and send us the best shot you got with your smartphone.  (Again, send the JPG file to support @ superiorlandlibrary.org).  If you think it’s good enough, I’m sure it is. 

We’ve found that many popular things, such as popular board games, automatically generate images in Enterprise, based on the UPC code (the same way the system generates a book jacket image based on an ISBN).  You can see these images to the side of a list of hit results from search.  The images we add manually will appear below the item information.

Image added by SLC staff, upon request.

System generated “thing” images, based on UPC information.